The chief press secretary (CPS) to Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Wednesday, emerged the distinguished spokesperson in political communication at the National Spokespersons Awards 2024 of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Ajakaye was presented with the prestigious award at a colourful event held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Two Fellow of NIPR who are indigenes of Kwara State, Alh. Saadu Salahu (Senior adviser/counselor to Kwara State governor) and a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Saudat AbdulBaqi, the secretary of NIPR in the state, AbdulRahman Sanni, joined Ajakaye in receiving the award.

While Prof. AbdulBaqi is a member of the NIPR’s Governing Council, Alh Saadu is the lone member of the organising committee of the NIPR 2024 National Spokespersons Award from Kwara State.

Ajakaye was first appointed as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s chief press secretary in 2019 and was reappointed into the position immediately the governor was sworn in for a second term of office on May 29, 2023.

Meanwhile, the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ) in Kwara State has rejoiced with Ajakaye over the honour done him by the NIPR.

The league, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alh. Tunde Akanbi, and public secretary, Alh Abdullahi Olesin, described the award bestowed on Ajakaye as well-deserved.

The league described Ajakaye as a workaholic and fine spokesman of the state governor, who committed his all into the job.

Also, other colleagues, including the chairman of the NUJ in the state, Ahmed AbdulLateef, have also sent congratulatory messages to Ajakaye on the WhatsApp platform of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).